SECTION A

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES NOTES PRACTICAL

1. describe the sense organs and Stimulus associated with sense

their functions organs.

2. relate the structures of the Accommodation and control of Compare a model of the eye with
mammalian eye to their functions; amount of light entering eye. a camera (Pin hole).

3. explain sight defects and theirLong and short sightedness; Carry out simple investigations
corrections; Effects of bright light and physical using convex and concave lenses.
injury; Function of convex and
concave lenses. Glaucoma;
cataracts.
4. relate the structures of the The approximate audio frequency Carry out simple investigations on
mammalian ear to their functions; spectrum of the human ear; the pitch and loudness
effects of loudness and pitch on
human beings.
UNIT VII: SENSE ORGANS AND COORDINATION

THE SENSE ORGANS

Sense organs – These organs detect changes in the external environment of the body. The general
function of senses are as follows:

SENSE ORGANS DETECTION INFERENCES

The external / middle ears are involved in hearing,
Hear Ear Hearing and balance whereas the inner ear functions both hearing /
balance.
Response to airborne molecules called odorants
Smell Nose Olfaction
(molecules with an odor) entering the nasal cavity.
Image formation for The eye receives light that it brings on a layer of
See Eye
sight light – sensitive cells, called the retina.
Detection of the main sensation of tasting, sour, salt,
Taste Tongue Tasting
bitter and sweet.
Pressure and touch, cold The skin is exposed to the surroundings, making for
Touch Skin
and hot and pain detection of pressure / touch, cold / hot / pain.
 THE EYE

Structure of the eye –

Operation of the eye –

Light sensitivity detection by retina – The Pigment layer, a layer of pigment supports the rods and
cones by preventing internal reflection of light that can lead to blurred vision.

DETAILS RODS CONES

Color image Black & white Red, green, blue
Arranged Packed tightly around retina edge Packed tightly in retina center
View Seen clearly at night by no direct viewing Seen clearly in daylight by direct viewing
Intensity Low light High light
Vision Night Day
Control of light intensity by iris – Light falls on retina stimulating rods and cones producing nerve
impulses. These will travel to the brain along optic nerve.

LOW LIGHT HIGH LIGHT

Radial contract Circular contract
Pupil open wider (dilate) Pupil reduces size (constrict)
> light enter and reach retina < light enter & retina protected from bleaching
Accommodation by lens – This is the ability of lens system to produce a sharp image of objects from
varying distances. Images are formed when rays of light from an object are brought together (focused)
onto the retina.

DETAILS DISTANT (PARALLEL) CLOSE (DIVERGING)

Refraction Less Great
Ciliary Relax Contract
Eye shape Spherical Bulge forward
Ligaments Tight Relaxed
Lens Long and thin Short and fat

Formation and integration of the image – An image is formed when light rays from an object are
brought together (focused) onto the retina. The image formed will be inverted (upside down) and
diminished (smaller than the object). The brain will correct this inversion and reduction in size. This
process is called integration.
 THE EAR

Structure of the ear –

Operation of the ear –

 THE TONGUE

Structure of the tongue –

Operation of the tongue –

 THE NOSE

Structure of the nose –

Operation of the nose –

THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (SKIN)

General functions of the skin –

Structure of the skin –

Operation of the skin –

 SIGHT DEFECTS (OPPOSITE IS EMMETROPIA – SHARP VISION)

Myopia (nearsightedness) – Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long, relative to the focusing power
of the cornea and lens of the eye. This causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina, rather
than directly on its surface If you're nearsighted, the first number ("sphere") on your eyeglasses
prescription will be preceded by a minus sign (–). The higher the number, the more nearsighted you are.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) – This vision problem occurs when light rays entering the eye focus behind
the retina, rather than directly on it. The eyeball of a farsighted person is shorter than normal 
Farsightedness can be corrected with glasses to change the way light rays bend into the eyes. If your
glasses begins with plus numbers, like + 1.50, you are farsighted.
Astigmatism – Instead of the cornea having a symmetrically round shape (like a tennis ball), it is shaped
more like a rugby ball, with one meridian being significantly more curved than the meridian
perpendicular to it 
Astigmatism usually causes vision to be blurred or distorted to some degree at all distances. Symptoms of
uncorrected astigmatism are eyestrain and headaches, especially after reading or other prolonged visual
tasks 
Astigmatism is usually combined with Myopia or Hyperopia.

Presbyopia – Presbyopia generally is believed to stem from a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of
the natural lens inside your eye. Presbyopia usually occurs beginning at around age 40, when people
experience blurred near vision when reading, sewing or working at the computer. Everyone becomes
presbyopic.

Glaucoma – a condition that causes damage to your eye's optic nerve and gets worse over time. The
increased pressure, called intraocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve, which transmits images to
your brain. If the damage continues, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.

Cataracts – A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil.
Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of
blindness in the world. A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens.

INTRODUCTION TO LENS

A lens is a device made of transparent materials such as glass or Perspex, bounded by spherical
surfaces, which, because of their shape, can converge (come together) or diverge (go apart) light
rays that pass through the lens. Hence, a lens has a refracting surface.
Converging / Convex lenses (+) – A converging lens is one that brings light rays together. They
are thicker in the middle than at the edges and causes a parallel beam of light to converge (come
together). Silvering the glass on the outside gives this lens.
Diverging / Concave lenses (–) – A diverging lens is one that separates the direction of light
rays, which gives a diminished and erect virtual image. These lenses are thinner in the middle
than at the edge, causing a parallel beam of light to diverge (separate). Silvering the inside of a
mirror gives this lens.

CORRECTION OF SIGHT DEFECTS

Myopia (nearsightedness) – Nearsightedness can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive
surgery. Depending on the degree of your myopia, you may need to wear your glasses or contact lenses
all the time or only when you need very clear distance vision, like when driving, seeing a chalkboard or
watching a movie. It is corrected with concave / diverging lens.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) – Farsightedness can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive

surgery. Depending on the degree of your myopia, you may need to wear your glasses or contact lenses
all the time or only when you need very clear distance vision, like when driving, seeing a chalkboard or
watching a movie. It is corrected with convex / converging lens.
COMPARISON OF THE EYE AND CAMERA